Fishing at Clear Lake, Mineral County, Montana

• Overview

  Clear Lake is a Mineral County water, in Montana. The country here is pine and birch. At roughly 9 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Thompson Falls sits 23 miles from the bank. Plains follows at 28 miles, then Osburn at 32 miles. Others worth noting: Rudie Lake 1.4 miles away, Hub Lake a touch under 1.6 miles, Hazel Lake 2 miles away, Crystal Lake a touch under 2.1 miles and Square Lake 2.3 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Mineral County names rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, Arctic grayling, brook trout and california golden trout. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Clear Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 58°F, the coldest about 21°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. On Clear Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Rudie Lake is 1.4 miles off. Ask locally about Clear Lake if anything is unclear.